DO YOU GET A SORE BACK WHILE BREAST FEEDING?
Here are Laura’s top tips for looking after your back when breast feeding:
- Keep your baby Close
Try to keep your baby as close and snug to you as possible, with as much of their body in contact with yours as possible. The further away they are the more likely you’ll end up leaning forward to meet them, which could put strain through your upper back and neck.
- Try different Positions
Play around with different positions. The side-lying feeding position is really useful for night feeds so you can try and rest as much as possible – important in the early weeks.
- Pillows Galore
Try and get support along the length of your back as you feed so that you can relax. You might be there for a long time and you should be able to switch your muscles off.
- Feet Flat
If you’re sitting try and get into a position where your feet are flat on the floor. You might want to use a step or pile of books to achieve this.
- Sit Bones
Again, if you’re sitting try and feel your weight going through both sit bones. If you are twisted or bent to one side you might put stress through your pelvic and lower back ligaments causing pain or injury.
- Drop your Shoulders
I see a lot of women in the clinic for upper back and neck pain from feeding. Breast feeding can be really tricky for some mums, and occasionally painful, and our first instinct is to tighten up in response. Once you have achieved a comfortable latch try to let your shoulders drop and jaw to relax.
If you have any questions or want an appointment with one of our team please visit www.LTosteo.co.ukor call 02072062625 to make an appointment, we would love to help.
Laura Tilson BA (Hons) M.Ost DPO
Laura Tilson is a Registered Osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council and an experienced, established practitioner in London.
She graduated with a Masters Degree from The British School of Osteopathy and then completed training in Paediatric Osteopathy with The Foundation of Paediatric Osteopathy; The Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC).
Laura worked at the OCC’s busy children’s clinic for two years. She has worked in the neonatal intensive care wards in three London hospitals.
She provides appointments for adults, children and babies in clinics, and also offers home visits for babies.
She uses a variety of osteopathic techniques including cranial osteopathy and structural techniques. She is experienced in treating a variety of women’s health and pre- and post-natal conditions.
As an undergraduate her research for her dissertation was awarded one of the top grades and she presented her findings at the Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Physiotherapy Conference in 2010. Laura Tilson is a Member of the Institute of Osteopathy and an Alumni Member of the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy. She has completed courses at the Molinari Institute of Health in Women’s Health,The Sutherland Cranial College, in Safeguarding Children and pre-natal and post-natal courses with Miranda Clayton.
Appointments:
For an appointment or further questions please call 020 7206 2625 or email info@ltosteo.co.uk